Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas Review

Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is how you set up a series! I love the characters so far, and the love interest plot line is not overdone. There are several plots going on within the book, but they don't overshadow each other, rather they work together to further the main plot line.

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Kingdom of Ash by Sarah J. Maas Review

Kingdom of Ash by Sarah J. Maas
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

It truly is the end of an era. Maas has outdone herself in this final book of the TOG series and I cannot day enough good things about it. The character development is insanely amazing, there are so many twists and turns (I didn’t see a single one coming, honestly), and her writing style is unparalleled! It’s cliche but accurate to say I laughed, I cried, I felt every emotion. I’m always amazed by the fact that SJM can make us feel for fictional characters- probably because we’ve had 6 books and a handful of novellas leading up to this. I recommend this to everyone, period.

In a word, this book is ICONIC.

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Twilight by Stephenie Meyer Review

Twilight by Stephenie Meyer
My rating: 1 of 5 stars

I’m giving this one star instead mostly because you can’t give something zero stars, and partially because it was a little less horrific than I remember. That being said, it’s still pretty horrific. I picked up the first three books of this series when our library was having a sale; I bought all three for $2.00. Probably paid too much, to be perfectly honest.

I’m not sure why I decided to re-read this series, but I needed something different from my typical go-to novels. Let me tell you- this was the wrong book to pick up. The first time I read this, I was 15 (a freshmen in high school), and I distinctly remember being creeped out by Edward. He’s not the charming, passionate boyfriend everyone wants him to be... he’s a psychopath with some serious mental problems. I guess that makes him perfect for Bella, since she’s just as insane! Needless to say, the characters irritate me and their thoughts/ actions really don’t make much sense (the book doesn’t make much sense though, so... there’s that...).

Moving on to the writing itself. This is definitely one of the most poorly written and edited books I’ve read. I wish I was kidding. I can only handle so many misspelled words in one book; I feel like the editors couldn’t be bothered to mention any of the typos or plot holes, for that matter, before publishing. I guess Meyer wrote the second half of this book first, and then backtracked. I’m not sure how it’s possible, but the first half is actually better than the second. It really just falls flat for me, and I’m not sure why I’m torturing myself by re-reading these books.

Overall, this series is a train wreck from the beginning. It’s horribly written, the characters are incredibly annoying, and it’s just not entertaining. I was able to read it quickly mostly due to the fact that it’s written on such a low level. If you need something to pass the time, and you’re into shitty romance novels without any action or steamy moments, this would be perfect for you. Otherwise, I wouldn’t recommend it to a friend. I’m thinking about re-reading New Moon only because I want to see if it goes up from here. But I definitely need a break before I start it... if I start it.

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Tower of Dawn by Sarah J. Maas Review

Tower of Dawn by Sarah J. Maas
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I have to be honest- I wasn’t overly enthusiastic when I first saw this book in the library only because Chaol was one of my least favorite characters in this series. I was really indifferent about him (but I don’t hate the guy) until I read this book. The beginning was a little slow for me, but I think that has a lot to do with the fact that I read Empire of Storms so long ago. It usually takes me a few chapters to get back into someone’s style. That being said, I’m obsessed with this series and Sarah J. Maas is definitely my favorite author!! I don’t know what else to say other than she’s a genius and I adore her writing so, so much. I can’t wait to get my hands on the next book, regardless of which series it belongs to.

One important note- I didn’t realize this was a parallel novel to Empire of Storms, which is probably why I was so confused when I first picked it up. The events in this book happen at the same time as the events in EoS, so keep that in mind. Don’t be silly like me and expect to find anything new until the end. No spoilers, I promise!

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Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard Review

Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

One of my friends asked me if this book was worth finishing (she’s about halfway through). To be perfectly honest, I’m not sure if I’ll be picking up the next book in this series or not. I remember trying to read it two or three times over summer break, and I just wasn’t 100% sold on the plot or the characters. I read a lot of young adult fiction and I have to say- this isn’t the worst, but it’s pretty run-of-the-mill, as far as dystopian novels go. It’s not the worst, but it’s definitely not the best. The ideas are there (shout out to Emily for that line!) and it seems like an interesting story. The ending feels a bit rushed and the plot twists at the end are interesting but not satisfying for me, personally.

SJM has spoiled me... I hold authors to such high standards now that I’ve read her beautiful novels. I would recommend Sarah J. Maas, Marie Lu, and Leigh Bardugo if you’re looking for some awesome YA picks!

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A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas Review

A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I wasn't sure if I was going to give this 4 or 5 stars, but the twists at the end bumped it up. Honestly, it got a little slow in the middle and didn't pick up again until the last 100 or so pages. Some of the plot twists are extremely predictable; however, the final turn did surprise me. I'm excited for the next book in the series!! I love Maas' writing style (which I'm sure I've mentioned before) simply because she can write so many different scenes and convey so many different emotions. The character development is spot on. Feyre's inner turmoil incredible, and I like that I had a connection to the majority of the characters. I'm invested for sure :)

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What I'm Reading 2018

Hello again (or hello for the first time!), and Happy New Year!!

I always look forward to this time of year for a few different reasons.  First and foremost, January 1st means I can stop stressing about the holidays and focus on moving forward and starting the new year off right.  Secondly, I get to start my 2018 reading challenge!

If you've even glanced at the posts on this blog, you probably already know that I'm a huge bookworm and reading is such an important aspect of my life.  Because I teach English and Language Arts at a Title 1 school, it's crucial for me to not only genuinely have a passion for reading, but to show my kiddos that reading can change your life (super cliche, I know...).

All that to say, I take my reading challenges seriously, and I always document my progress throughout the year.  Whenever I finish and review a book, I post that review on here and my Goodreads; I also update this page as a sort of checklist to keep myself on track.

I'm trying to keep this short, but there's always so much to say!  Ok, here's a few things you need to know if you haven't kept up with my challenges in the past:

• I link each review in this post, so just click on the title if you'd like to know my thoughts about the book.
• I don't usually re-read anything, but if I do, I'll mark it with an asterisks (*).
• Audiobooks are noted. 
• Sometimes I cheat a little bit, sorry not sorry.

All jokes aside, I really do enjoy setting these reading goals for myself each year.  I want to broaden my horizons this year and read more books outside of my typical go-to genres.  Recently, I've been reaching for a lot of young adult fantasies (Sarah J. Maas was huge for me in 2017) and historical fiction (the Outlander series, in particular), so I'm looking to read more widely this time around.  

One last thing: I've never actually completed a themed challenge, but I have completed my reading goal each year for the past 5 years!  We can't break the streak now!!  I just wanted to push myself a little bit further so I can become a more well-read person.

I've done enough talking (typing??), so let's just move straight on into the reading challenge!  Oh, and if you want to check out my reading challenges from previous years, I have everything linked for you below :)

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2018 Reading Challenge Goal: 30 books (edit- 40 as of 10/5/18) I found this challenge on Modern Mrs. Darcy's site, and it looked like something I could accomplish without overwhelming myself.  She also has some wonderful tips on how to get more out of your reading life, if you're interested! * = re-read 1. A classic you've been meaning to read
Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie (audiobook)
2. A book recommended by someone with great taste
A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas* (One of my best friends, Rose, recommended this book to me years ago!)
3. A book in translation
Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon, Vol. 1 by Naoko Takeuchi 
4. A book nominated for an award in 2018
Kingdom of Ash by Sarah J. Maas (Goodreads Choice 2018 nominee)
5. A book of poetry, a play, or an essay collection
6. A book you can read in a day
The Selection by Kiera Cass (audiobook)- it took me several days to actually listen to this book because I have a career, but it was only 7 1/2 hours in total
7. A book with more than 500 pages
The Crooked Kingdom by Leigh Bardugo
8. A book by a favorite author A Court of Frost and Starlight by Sarah J. Maas*
9. A book recommended by a librarian or indie bookseller  Circe by Madeline Miller (recommended by Jean, aka Bookishthoughts on YouTube and Goodreads)
10. A banned book
The One and Only Ivan by Kathrine Applegate (I’m sure this book is banned in several school districts for a variety of reasons, but it’s an incredible children’s book!) 
11. A memoir, biography, or book of creative nonfiction


12. A book by an author of a different race, ethnicity, or religion than your own When Dimple Met Rishi by Sandhya Menon

Other Books

• Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo
• Out of the Dust by Karen Hesse
• The Elite by Kiera Cass (audiobook)
• The One by Kiera Cass (audiobook)
• Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden
• Closer Reading by Nancy Boyles
• Dark Matter by Blake Crouch
• Warcross by Marie Lu
• Grave Mercy by Robin LaFevers
• Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard
• Tower of Dawn by Sarah J. Maas
• Thor, God of Thunder Vol. 1: The God Butcher by Jason Aaron
• Thor, God of Thunder Vol. 2: Godbomb by Jason Aaron
• Twilight by Stephenie Meyer*
• A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas*
• The Tiger Rising by Kate DiCamillo
• Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon, Vol. 2 by Naoko Takeuchi
• Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon, Vol. 3 by Naoko Takeuchi
• Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon, Vol. 4 by Naoko Takeuchi
• Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon, Vol. 5 by Naoko Takeuchi
• Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon, Vol. 6 by Naoko Takeuchi
• Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon, Vol. 7 by Naoko Takeuchi
• Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon, Vol. 8 by Naoko Takeuchi 
• Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas*
• Crown of Midnight by Sarah J. Maas*
• Heir of Fire by Sarah J. Maas*
• Queen of Shadows by Sarah J. Maas*

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If you're interested, here are my other "What I'm Reading" posts:

• What I'm Reading 2017
• What I'm Reading 2016
• What I'm Reading 2015
• What I'm Reading 2014
• What I'm Reading 2013

As always, thank you for taking some time out of your day to check out my blog!  Happy reading!!
Keri <3

Fruits Basket by Natsuki Takaya Review

Fruits Basket Collector's Edition, Vol. 1 by Natsuki Takaya
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This book was just kind of "meh" for me... I'm not really sure why, but I just couldn't get invested in the characters or the plot. Maybe because it's meant for the younger generation? I remember this being a huge deal when I was in school, but I don't get the hype. I may read the second one.

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Stars Above by Marissa Meyer Review

Stars Above by Marissa Meyer
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

These short stories/ novellas are wonderful! I like seeing a different side of the characters, and I especially like the way this book is broken into different sections. Each section focuses on a different character or a set of characters, but the overall story arch is still in place (and makes sense!). A+ character development and pacing. The only reason I'm giving this one 4 stars is because the ending was super abrupt and too sudden for my taste. But it's overall still an awesome read.

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The Death of WCW by RD Reynolds Review

The Death of WCW: 10th Anniversary of the Bestselling Classic - Revised and Expanded by R.D. Reynolds
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

So, my boyfriend got me hooked on wrestling almost two years ago, and I've been obsessed since. I've learned that it takes an incredible amount of talent, hard work and dedication, and a little bit of insanity to be a part of the business. From bookers to upper management to the actual in-ring talent, the world of wrestling is absolutely crazy! Before reading this book, I had a pretty basic understanding of the business, but I didn't really know about the history behind WWF/ WWE or WCW.

That being said, this was, by far, one of my non-fiction favorite books I've ever read! If you're even slightly interested in the business, I highly recommend checking this book out! I'm sure it's not 100% historically accurate, but I love that Reynolds and Alvarez stick to the objective facts and don't really talk shit about anyone. They just present it exactly like it went down. It's eye opening, for sure.

To anyone looking to break into the business one day: use this book as an example of everything not to do when working for/ running a company. You can thank me later.

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The Midnight Star by Marie Lu Review

The Midnight Star by Marie Lu
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

4.5 stars

Some authors seem to forget to tie up all the loose ends, to make sure each character gets their own ending (whether it's happy or not so happy), but Lu is a master when it comes to conclusions! Parts of this book were a little slow, so that's the only reason I'm giving it a 4.5 instead of a 5. The ending seemed a tad bit rushed because the middle was so long, but it ultimately works out in the end. I love the character development, the plot twists, and the fact that the ending was not predictable in the least!

I'm not sure if there are more installments or plans for more books in this series, but I would be happy either way. There's a definitive ending. On the other hand, she definitely left herself some interesting things to work with if she did choose to continue the series. Just some random thoughts.

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Crazy Is My Super Power by AJ Mendez Brooks Review

Crazy Is My Superpower: How I Triumphed by Breaking Bones, Breaking Hearts, and Breaking the Rules by A.J. Mendez Brooks
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Edit: 10/1/2017

So, after doing some research and actually watching AJ Lee in the ring, I definitely want to edit this review. I guess instead of editing, I'll just write an updated review because there are some things I would like to touch on.

I still stand by what I said about the majority of this book. AJ is an inspiration to young women, as she should be. She struggled to get into the business due to a number of factors (including her mental health problems, and the simple fact that she was a woman in a male-dominated industry), but still prevailed. To this day, many wrestling fans will tell you that she is the sole reason for the Women's Revolution, and she seems to think so, too. As I sit here watching her old matches, I'm starting to wonder why she's held on such a high pedestal. For someone who didn't want to be known just for her body, she certainly doesn't seem like she was unwilling to wear her "skimpy, little outfits" (which she talks about extensively in the book). Yes, she is one of the more talented workers of her era; yes, she should be given credit for attempting to revolutionize the division. However, she should not be hailed as a revolutionary by any means. She pushed for longer matches and deeper story lines for the women, but I wouldn't say that she was the only one who made these things happen.

I still enjoy bits and pieces of this book- mostly the sections about her childhood and her battle with mental illness. I just can't say that I respect her nearly as much as I did before watching her matches.

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I have nothing but positive things to say about this autobiography. It's truly inspiring to see where AJ came from and know the struggles she faced before breaking into the business. Although her career was cut short (in my opinion), she influenced the women's division and changed the face of the business for the better. All too often we praise female athletes for their bodies/ their looks rather than their in-ring talent, a point which AJ makes throughout the second half of her book. Her accomplishments are remarkable and, honestly, she should be given more credit for her role in WWE. A few people have said that she "shit on the company," but I didn't pick up that sort of tone from her. She is very matter-of-fact and blunt. Maybe some people just can't handle the truth? I'm not sure, but either way, I absolutely loved Crazy is my Superpower from start to finish, and I hope to god she writes another book soon. I'm fascinated by the business in general, but the women's division (for obvious reasons) has always held my attention more than the "main roster Superstars" in most cases.

If you enjoy wrestling even a little check this out. If you need a strong female role model in your life, give it a go. Or, if you just need a really good book that keeps you engaged the entire time, I highly recommend this one.

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Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel Review

Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I read this because it was part of the End of the World book club, and I definitely don't regret picking it up! This isn't my favorite post-apocalyptic novel (The Girl with All the Gifts is still my all-time favorite) only because it was a little slower paced and less action-packed than I had hoped it would be. There is a little bit of a plot twist, but it wasn't anything super original or shocking; most of the characters don't have enough time to develop and evolve due to the number of characters present in the book. I like that the author chose to focus on different characters set in different times and locations, but I wish there would have been some sort of thread connecting them all together at the end. Honestly, the plot kind of falls flat for me, maybe because I've read so many dystopian/ post-apocalyptic novels. Either way, it's not my favorite, but I would recommend it to someone who is new to the genre.

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Gratitude Tag

Hi again!

It's Friday night and I'm bored... So, here's another tag/ journal prompt thing I found on Pinterest.  This is technically a 30 day challenge, but I'm condensing it down into just one post instead.

Here we go!

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1. What smell are you grateful for today?

Fresh brewed espresso

2. What technology are you grateful for?

My iPhone and work computer

3. What color are you grateful for?

Orange.  I used to visit my local music shop and mess around on the different instruments, and I fell in love with a Yamaha Precision Jazz Bass (which is metallic orange).  I started taking lessons and ended up playing bass in my high school's jazz band for 3 years.

4. What food are you most grateful for?

Pizza with extra cheese

5. What sound are you grateful for today?

My dog's barks of excitement when I get home from work

6. What in nature are you grateful for?

The sunshine

7. What memory are you grateful for?

I'm most grateful for running into Corey at the Fayetteville Public Library on April 18, 2016.  We reconnected (as cheesy as that sounds), and everything fell back into place.  We picked up right where we left off, and it was absolutely wonderful.

8. What book are you most grateful for?

You Are a Badass by Jen Sincero- it has truly changed my outlook and overall attitude towards life in general.

9. What place are you most grateful for?

Orange Park, FL

10. What taste are you grateful for today?

Mocha

11. What holiday are you grateful for?

New Year's Day

12. What texture are you grateful for?

Soft, fuzzy blankets

13. What abilities are you grateful for?

My intelligence, my ability to read anything and everything, and my musical talent (if you can really call it that)

14. What sights are you grateful for today?

Snapchats from Corey

15. What season are you grateful for?

Fall

16. What about your body are you grateful for?

My eyes, because they're my favorite feature, and they're pretty crucial to my quality of life.

17. What knowledge are you grateful for?

I'm grateful for my knowledge regarding teaching, child development, and pedagogy.

18. What piece of are you grateful for?

The coverart of "Take This to Your Grave" by Fall Out Boy

19. What touch are you grateful for today?

Rhaegar's soft bunny fur

20. Who in your life are you grateful for?

Corey, Raechel, Sammi, Mom, Dad, and Drew (and the fur babies!)

21. What song are you most grateful for?

"The Patron Saint of Liars and Fakes" by Fall Out Boy

22. What story are you grateful for?

The story of Harry Potter- I can't say it was a part of my childhood, but it was my life in high school and college.

23. What tradition are you grateful for?

I love the fact that my family has always celebrated Thanksgiving dinner together.  For the past 23 years, we've all hung out on Thanksgiving Day, and I hope to keep the tradition going for as long as possible.

24. What challenge are you grateful for?

My job is not the easiest, and I'm definitely not in this position for the fame and fortune.  I hear a lot of negative feedback on a daily basis, I usually don't hear "thank you," and teaching can be extremely frustrating and trying at times.  But I love my kiddos, and I'm so thankful for my colleagues (especially my math coach!).  This year has thrown me many curveballs, but I'm grateful for all the challenges and obstacles I face because I know I'm becoming a better and more effective teacher each and every day.

25. What moment this week are you most grateful for?

Working with my colleagues and math coach to successfully implement a weekly math camp for my fifth graders.

26. What form of expression are you most grateful for?

Music or writing; I can't live without playing/ listening to music, or books, so they're tied for first place!

27. What small thing that you use daily are you grateful for?

Pencils

28. What small thing that happened today are you grateful for?

One of my students had an "ah-ha" moment today during core instruction.  

29. What friend/ family member are you grateful for today?

Corey and Sara

30. What talent or skill do you have that you are grateful for?

I'm extremely grateful for my musical talent.  I absolutely love playing the piano and the bass, listening to music on Spotify, collecting CDs, and creating playlists to fit my various moods and musical tastes.

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Thanks for checking out my blog, and I hope to see you again soon :)

Keri <3

What I'm Reading 2017

Happy New Year!!

I'm typing this a few hours before the clock actually strikes midnight, but I figured I would get this all written up while I was thinking about it :)

This year, I'm challenging myself to complete the "2017 Reading Challenge" that I found on Pinterest.  I've attempted one of these challenges in the past, but I never actually finished it.  I usually just keep track of the number of books I read each year, so I thought it would be fun to change things up a bit!!  I'll add a section at the end of this post for books that don't quite fit into any of the categories listed in the challenge itself.  I hope to read at least 30 books this year.

One last thing- I'm trying to accomplish this without re-reading anything.  Wish me luck!

If you would like to see each of my reviews on the books I've read so far, just click on the title and the link will take you straight to the review post for that book.  Just in case you wanted to get a little preview for any of them- no spoilers, I promise!!

Ok, enough chit-chat.  Here's what I'm reading in 2017.

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2017 Reading Challenge

1. A book you read in school

Animal Farm by George Orwell (I didn’t have the opportunity to read this in school, but I know it’s part of the curriculum for tons of high schools, so it counts)

2. A book from your childhood

Fruits Basket Collector's Edition Vol. 1 by Natsuki Takaya (I never actually read this series, but I know it was a huge deal when I was in middle school!) 

3. A book published over 100 years ago

4. A book published in the last year

How to Hang a Witch by Adriana Mather

5. A non-fiction book

Crazy is My Superpower by A. J. Mendez Brooks

6. A book written by a male author

The Martian by Andy Weir

7. A book written by a female author

Fairest: Levana's Story by Marissa Meyer

8. A book by someone who isn't a writer

#GIRLBOSS by Sophia Amoruso

9. A book that became a film

Room by Emma Donoghue

10. A book published in the 20th century

The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood

11. A book set in your hometown/ region

12. A book with someone's name in the title

Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbitt

13. A book with a number in the title

Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel

14. A book with a character with your first name

There are honestly no characters that I've found that have my name (with the correct spelling) besides Carrie by Stephen King, but I didn't want to include anything I've read in previous years.  So, this is a stretch, but I'm going to cheat a little bit...

The characters in Three Dark Crowns by Kendare Blake all have pretty unique names, so we'll just pretend that this fits the criteria for the challenge ;)

15. A book someone else recommends to you

The Death of WCW: 10th Anniversary of the Best-Selling Classic- Revised and Expanded by R. D. Reynolds and Bryan Alvarez (recommended by Corey!)

16. A book with over 500 pages

A Court of Wings and Ruin by Sarah J. Maas

17. A book you can finish in a day

milk and honey by Rupi Kaur

18. A previously banned book

Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbit (I'm sure some school district, somewhere in this country has banned this book for some reason or another...)

19. A book with a one word title

Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell

20. A book translated from another language

21. A book that will improve a specific area of your life

Astrophysics for People in a Hurry by Neil deGrasse Tyson (honestly, I just strive to be a more intelligent human, and I try to learn at least one new thing each day)

22. A memoir or journal

Troublemaker: Surviving Hollywood and Scientology by Leah Remini

23. A book written by someone younger than you

The Outsiders by S. E. Hinton

24. A book set somewhere you'll be visiting this year

Outlander by Diana Gabaldon (I'm not planning on visiting Scotland this coming year, but I would love to go at some point in my life)

25. An award-winning book

Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo (New York Times Bestseller, Los Angeles Times Bestseller, Amazon Best Book of the Year, Indie Next List Book)

26. A self-published book

Other books:

- Stars Above by Marissa Meyer

- The Young Elites by Marie Lu

- The Rose Society by Marie Lu

- The Midnight Star by Marie Lu

- Empire of Storms by Sarah J. Maas

- Siege and Storm by Leigh Bardugo

- Book of Shadows by Cate Tiernan
- Ruin and Rising by Leigh Bardugo

- The Coven by Cate Tiernan

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If you're interested, here are my other "What I'm Reading" posts:

• What I'm Reading 2016
• What I'm Reading 2015
• What I'm Reading 2014
• What I'm Reading 2013

Thanks for checking out my little blog!  I hope to talk to you again soon- until then, Happy New Year (again)!  I love you all and am so thankful for you :)

Keri <3